ES2291756T3 - TRANSFER MEANS TERMINATION AND METHOD OF MANUFACTURE AND USE OF THE SAME. - Google Patents

Abstract

There is disclosed thermal transfer media containing both fixed and variable printed information, and method of making and using such a thermal transfer medium. The fixed information is printed in one or more fixed-information zone(s) preferably on a web during a long production run and thereafter as the need arises the variable information is printed or imprinted in one or more variable information zone(s) on sections of the web during shorter production runs. The transfer medium is particularly suited for printing onto fabrics that are subject to repeated home laundering and commercial dry cleaning.

Description

Thermal transfer media and method of manufacture and use thereof.

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to means of thermal transfer and to manufacturing methods and use of such thermal transfer media.

Background of the invention

The following status of the Technique: US Patents 4,541,340; 4,828,638; 4,944,827; 5,464,289; 5,196,030; 5,658,647; 5,661,099; 5,707,475; 5,788,796; 6,067,103; 6,246,326; 6,296,022; and 6,460,992; and also Paxar 5300ZT Operation / Maintenance and Parts List, January 1995 and User's Manual Paxar Model 5300ZTModified Addendum February 14, 2003.

US 5,438,831 describes a film of thermal transfer comprising a substrate film, a primer layer formed on the substrate layer and regions of three layers formed on the primer layer in parallel each. The three layer regions include a layer region of sublimable dye containing adjacent dye layers of different colors, a region of heat-meltable ink layer and a region of transferable protective layer. The layer region of heat meltable ink comprises a release layer, a removable protective layer and a layer of heat meltable ink laminated in that order on the primer layer. The region of Transferable protective layer comprises a detachment layer, a removable protective layer and an adhesive layer laminated in that order on the primer layer. The movie of thermal transfer is used to produce a color image on an object where the three layer regions are placed successively on top of the object to be received the picture.

Summary of the Invention

The invention relates to means of improved thermal transfer and improved manufacturing methods and use of said thermal transfer means. The means of thermal transfer of the invention are useful for transferring a print to a wide variety of surfaces or substrates flexible or rigid, such as gender, painted surfaces, metal, wood, plastic material, composite materials and the like. In accordance with the present invention, a method of providing manufacture of a thermal transfer band, an article produced by said method and a thermal transfer band of according to claims 1, 8 and 9. In the claims Dependent subsidiaries offer preferred modalities.

It usually happens that a product manufacturer you will have a variety of products that you need to print or mark with information and what part of the information to print stay constant on many or all products of the line of production, while other information may vary from one product to another within the production line. Information which is the same from one product to another in the production line it can be called "fixed information" and the information that varies from one product to another can be called "information variable".

When the product manufacturer uses decals to transfer printed information about products, Without the present invention, it is necessary that the manufacturer of the products use a different sticker that contains information both fixed and variable for each of the different products within the production line. This requires that each manufacturer of products store tens, hundreds or thousands of stickers different, a decal for each different product, although the products may vary only in a small amount of information, for example a serial number, a data code, country of origin and / or size, and the like. This can become a huge and expensive load for both the manufacturer of the means of Transfer as for the manufacturers of the products. He Transfer media manufacturer has the burden and cost of generate, identify, mark, manipulate and perhaps store or possibly inventory a tremendous number of different decals for each product manufacturer and, in turn, each Product manufacturer has the burden and cost of identifying, mark, manipulate and store or inventory a tremendous number of decals

When the decals of the invention, the product manufacturer simply determines the fixed information and variable information and then imposes again an order for a printed transfer medium with just fixed information but be able to receive any information unwanted variable The transfer media manufacturer generates then a large number of stickers containing only fixed information and then you can add information variable well by the transfer media manufacturer a Once instructed by the product manufacturer, or the information Variable can be printed by product manufacturers. From this way, the desired variable information is printed as it turns out necessary.

While the information is described in connection with the application of decals to genres or clothing, with This is not intended to limit the invention in any way. By For example, a garment manufacturer can make many Different garments in many sizes also different. The clothing manufacturer may deem it necessary or desirable to mark clothing items with information, such as a logo, material content, country of origin, instructions for washing, instructions for bleaching, instructions for iron, drying instructions, various types of codes including code numbers and size. Often the greatest part or all of this information, except size, is common in a large number of clothing manufactured by the manufacturer of them, but you may be able to change any or most of the information normally posted. For example, the product manufacturer can manufacture the products in different countries, so that the information of the country of origin can be variable information, and so successively.

A series of decals or images arranged to  along the length of a transfer band can be partially printed or pre-printed with it information, especially fixed information. Subsequently, to as necessary, the transfer medium partially printed, such as a transfer band, can be printed with Various additional variable information. For example, each image Fixed information printed on the transfer band can be supplemented with variable information, such as information About the size. A long band of printed transfer media with fixed information, produced on a long production line by The transfer media manufacturer can be rolled up simply to form a large roll and then you can print with variable information, or the transfer medium length with fixed information can be cut in lengths more Short and rolled in two or more rolls that can be easier to manipulate and / or distribute to different places. The middle of transfer of the invention can be printed with fixed information based on a high volume in one place, for example the means of transfer can be printed at the place of the manufacturer of the means of transfer, and subsequently the variable information is you can print, as necessary, in the same place or in different places by various parties, such as a subcontractor or the garment manufacturers themselves. It is not uncommon for a manufacturer, such as a garment manufacturer, arrange from different factories or places where they are desirable or required items that need to be marked with both fixed and fixed information variable for printing on a garment. The roll or transfer media rolls can be sent to these different factories or places and variable information can be print there. The transfer medium of the invention results particularly suitable for all these situations because the transfer medium previously prepared and partially printed, which only contains fixed information, can be adapted to measure in an effective way to also include variable information. When a fully printed transfer medium is needed, the large roll or small roll, as the case may be, of medium partially printed transfer is passed through a printer of footprint and of short route, relatively economic, that prints All variable information. For example, the medium of partially printed transfer, arranged in a large roll or Small, you can move to a short-haul printer. The printer prints, for example, information about sizes, for example 2X / 2XG, 50-52, about some or the all images in the variable information zones on the transfer means arranged in said roll. It may be that it is only necessary to print part of the roll with variable information referring to the size as indicated above, so that part or all of the rest of this medium roll of transfer can be printed with one size information different, for example size X / XL, 46-48. Of this mode, a length of the transfer medium will have been printed with the same fixed information and with different variable information. This avoids the need to have a large inventory of media fully printed transfer that have been printed with both fixed and variable information. It should be noted that while large and expensive long-distance facilities, suitable For long production lines, they can produce long bands of means of transfer, they will not be suitable for produce small batches because such long installation route needs to be, repeatedly, stopped, changed to print a different variable information and start-up of new. This change results in some waste of material from transfer and, more frequently, the installation needs be stopped, changed and set in motion again, bringing the Installation is less efficient. Likewise, said installation Long haul creates more waste than short printers previously described route.

According to the invention, the means of Improved thermal transfer and improved manufacturing method of said transfer medium containing both fixed information as a variable, it can be used to apply printed information to one gender, and the printed label can withstand repeated washes. In a preferred embodiment, the fixed information is printed with a printing ink with stencil in a printing process with stenciled, and the variable information is printed with an ink of hot stamping in a hot stamping process. Although stencil printing processes are referred frequently as processes with silk stencil, the material of stencil used today comprises other materials such as synthetic polyester Therefore, the process is referred to as a process with stencil. Regardless of the technology of printing used, the inks should have elasticity desired for good behavior when applied to garments of dress, which inherently are subject to stretched. Too it is preferable to provide a protective coating having the sufficient elasticity and that protects printed information during washing.

In particular, in one embodiment, the means of Improved thermal transfer occurs by a procedure which comprises providing a support band, wherein one of the sides of the support band has a removable liner in one or more areas of fixed information capable of receiving fixed information and in one or more areas of variable information able to receive variable information, optionally apply a protective coating on the removable coating on the zone or zones of fixed information and in the zone or zones of variable information, print fixed information on any protective coating in the area or areas of fixed information, optionally apply a color contrast coating on fixed information printed in the fixed information zone or zones, apply an adhesive coating to both the area or areas of fixed information including fixed printed information and the protective coating, such as the zone or information zones variable including protective coating, print variable information on the adhesive in the zone or zones of variable information, and optionally print a color of contrast on the variable information printed. If the color of the surface or substrate on which the impression is to be transferred it's a light color and assuming the ink is dark in color, such as black, it may not be necessary or convenient to include a color contrast coating, such as white, on the decal However, if the product manufacturer wants the print be a prominent print or if you want to print on a dark colored substrate with a dark ink, then you can it is convenient that the print has a contrast coating underlying color to provide an outline or background to that the print can be read easily. In addition, in cases in where the garment or other product does not have to undergo washing, abrasion or other rough handling, the protective coating. Likewise, if the printed information on a garment has sufficient color fastness without the protective coating or if a particular application does not require the application thereof, the protective coating can be omitted

The invention provides a means of thermal transfer in which adhesive is used to bond the printed information to the genre or surface, where the information Fixed print is between an adhesive coating and a removable lining while the adhesive is between the printed variable information and the coating removable

A specific modality of a means of thermal transfer to be used in a stamping process in Hot includes a support band, a removable liner uniform over the support band, an adhesive coating uniform over the removable liner and a liner uniform ink on the adhesive coating.

Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after doing Reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

Brief description of the schematic drawings

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a printed genre with a means of transfer according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view from below to through the side of the support band or film of a means of transfer partially printed and that has been printed with fixed information

Figure 3 is a transfer medium fully printed that has been printed with both fixed information as variable

Figure 4 is an exploded view and in perspective that shows several stations in the manufacture of a thermal transfer medium according to the invention, wherein printed information and coatings are illustrated in a General form of blocks for clarity.

Figure 5 is a top plan view, increased, of one of the coatings, specifically the protective coating, which is applied on a coating removable

Figure 6 is a top view of the fixed information printed in a first color that is applied on the protective coating.

Figure 7 is a top view of other fixed printed information, for example a logo, on a optional second color.

Figure 8 is a side elevation view that shows the installation with a sequence of stations coating and printing.

Figure 9 is a side elevation view similar to figure 8.

Figure 10 is a sectional view of the various layers of printing and coating, having omitted the scratched for clarity.

Figure 11 is a side elevation view that shows stations 9 and 10 of the medium manufacturing method transfer.

Figure 12 is a plan view from below. of one of the hot stamping printing plants shown in figure 11.

Figure 13 is a plan view from the top that shows the way in which the information Variable printed and color contrast coating is applied to the partially printed thermal transfer medium.

Figure 14 is a sectional view of the layers in a fully printed variable information zone, The scratch has been omitted for clarity.

Figure 15 is a side elevational view of station 9 showing an arrangement to transfer the printing on a substrate, for example a garment of gender of wear.

Figure 16 is a fragmented sectional view. which shows an alternative mode of a media band of hot stamping in which the printed information variable and adhesive cannot be hot stamped on the partially printed thermal transfer medium.

Figure 17 is a fragmented sectional view. similar to figure 10, but showing an alternative modality of the partially printed thermal transfer medium, having skipped scratching for clarity.

Figure 18 is a sectional view of an area of variable information showing the adhesive and printing such and how they are applied using a hot stamping tape, together with a color contrast coating, having omitted the scratched for clarity.

Figure 19 is a fragmented sectional view. which shows another alternative mode of a media band of hot stamping whereby the printed information does not can be hot stamped on the transfer medium thermally printed part, with scratching omitted for more clarity

Figure 20 is a fragmented sectional view. similar to figures 10 and 17, but showing another modality alternative of the invention, the scratching being omitted for greater clarity.

Figure 21 is a sectional view of an area variable information showing the adhesive, the print and with protective coating as applied using a tape hot stamping, along with a contrast coating of color, with scratching omitted for clarity.

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Detailed description of the preferred modalities

With reference to figure 1, it shows a substrate such as a flexible gender piece 20 that it can be part of a garment 54 (figure 15) and a full image consisting of printed information that has been transferred directly on gender 20 from a medium of thermal transfer according to the invention. How has it indicated above, the substrate may also be constituted by other various surfaces and materials. Printed information shown in figure 1 includes information common to several products manufactured by a manufacturer, in this case a manufacturer in particular of clothing. In this way, this information it is called "fixed information" that is shown in the zones of fixed information 21 to 28. This particular manufacturer uses the same fixed information in connection with different sizes of garments To wear. Therefore, the image also includes "information variable "in one or more information areas variable 29. Although In this example, only one variable information area is illustrated. You can provide another or other areas of variable information. How illustrated, zone 21 bears the manufacturer's logo or other identification, zone 21 contains the manufacturer's code, the zone 23 contains the country of origin of the garment, the zone 24 contains instructions for washing, zone 25 contains instructions for bleaching, zone 26 contains instructions for drying, zone 27 contains instructions for ironing and zone 28 contains information on the content of the material. The variable information zone 29 contains information on the size.

Figure 2 shows a transfer band thermal W partially printed with fixed information in areas of fixed information 21T to 28T and the variable information zone 29T It is free of variable information. Zones 21T to 29T they correspond exactly to zones 21 to 29 of figure 1. The W band is also printed with 30 registration marks at intervals longitudinally spaced each other equally corresponding to the images on the thermal transfer band W. The images they are repeated in the longitudinal direction along the band W.

Figure 3 is similar to Figure 2 except that Figure 3 contains variable information printed in the area of variable information 29T.

With reference to figure 4, it is shown in the same station 1 where flexible support is provided preferably in the form of a support band C that has been rolled up in a roll. The support band C can be based on plastic or cellulose. Non-limiting examples of the support band C include polyester or polypropylene films and papers. At In case of papers treated with silicone or wax, the application stage of the removable coating R. Station 2 shows that a removable coating is applied for each image  R above and above the upper surface of the band of support C. The removable liner R can be any Removable coating known to those skilled in the art. A typical removable liner R may comprise a waxy substance that softens or melts to facilitate detachment of the material to be transferred. The coating Removable R can be applied in a thickness of about 2.54 um to 25.4 µm (about 0.1 to 1 thousandth of an inch) and preferably from about 5.08 µm to 20.32 µm (about 0.2 to 0.8 thousandths of an inch), after drying. The station shows the application of a PC protective coating above or above the removable liner R in each of zones 21T to 29T. The PC protective coating design is best illustrated in figure 5 and, as shown, the design is printed upside down. As used herein, the term "protective coating" refers to a coating that protects printed information and is transparent enough so that the fixed and variable information, printed, can be read for example through the PC coating. The coating protector can be transparent or colorless, or it can be tinted or colored, as long as the fixed information and desired printed variables can be read, for example, by a person. It is preferable that the PC protective coating be constituted of or includes an ink that is preferably the same that used to print the fixed information, but that is pigment free An important property of the coating protector is flexibility when the image has to be transferred to a flexible and / or stretchable substrate or surface such as a garment of clothing. After application to a garment of dress, the resulting thermal transfer or image will experience a deformation, for example, when it is put on or removed or washed. Therefore, in this application, the protective coating is sufficiently flexible or elastic to deform. For example, the protective coating should be conveniently capable of adapt at least 25% and up to approximately 400%, in any direction without cracks or other forming imperfections Likewise, the protective coating must have enough "memory" to return to the original size and shape  after the deformed force disappears. Same as him removable coating R, the protective coating PC is preferably of a thickness of about 2.54 µm to 25.4 µm, and preferably from about 5.08 µm to 20.32 um (about 0.1 to 1 and preferably about 0.2 to 0.8 thousandths of an inch), after drying. The composition PC protective coating chemistry is not limited, as long as as long as the coating has the elasticity above described in connection with its use in clothing. In the case of that the decal or image is applied to a solid surface or rigid that does not deform or stretch as before, it is not it is necessary that the protective coating has all the previous features.

Station 4 shows that a first FC color, for example black, it is printed in zones 22T to 28T. In the figure 6 shows the impression that is made upside down. Printing on Figure 6 in zones 21T to 28T falls just inside the design shown in figure 5. Therefore, all printing will be found always entirely on the PC protective coating even although the coincidence between the protective coating and the impression is not perfect but within reasonable tolerances. The  registration marks 30 are printed at the time the printing of fixed information FC. Station 5 illustrates the printing in a second SC color, for example red, in the area of 21T fixed information. Other details of printing in zone 21T. Figure 6 shows a hidden sketch P where the printing of figure 7 will occur in zone 21T. In the event that all the fixed information is of one color, for black example, then station 5 is removed. Alternatively, in the case that there is an impression in more than two colors, They can incorporate additional printing stations. If that one or two color contrast coatings are desired or a CC print, they are applied at station 6 aligned with, but preferably slightly larger than, any printing applied at stations 4 and 5, so that the Printing is more easily visible. When the article to which transfer medium is to be applied consists of genre, the ink used is preferably wash resistant, of so that none of the printed information is destroyed, damaged or be affected in any other way after repeated washing of the garment. The characteristics of the ink can vary according to the surface to which the decal and / or according to the printing technique that Use to print the information. The ink will have preferably the same elasticity as the protective coating PC when the decal is used to print on garments dress genre

Then a coating of adhesive A in zones 21T to 29T at station 7. You can use any suitable adhesive A and the characteristics can vary depending on the nature of the surface or substrate in where the decal is to be applied. For example, in the case that the decal must be applied to a garment, the adhesive A preferably has a thickness of about 25.4 um to 127 µm and most preferably about 38.1 um to 101.6 um (about 1 to 5 and most preferably about 1.5 to 4 thousandths of an inch), after drying. When the decal is applied to a genre, adhesive A does not remain limited but should have the elastic properties of protective coating PC and ink or inks comprising the fixed and variable printing. The profile of the adhesive zone A is slightly larger than the profile of the coating area protector in zones 21T to 29T. Adhesive A is an adhesive heat activatable that gets wet when applied but that dry so that it is dry to the touch. Since the information printed variable 29 in the variable information area 29T is found under the adhesive once the printed information variable 29 has been transferred to the contemplated substrate, it is it is necessary that adhesive A be transparent enough to that the printed information variable 29 in the information area variable 29T can be read through adhesive A. Therefore, how much  The more transparent the adhesive, the better the result. This it is in contrast to the fixed information printed 21 to 28 in the fixed information zones 21T to 28T once the fixed information printed has been transferred to the contemplated substrate, because Adhesive A is below the fixed information printed 21 to 28. Consequently, in fixed information areas 21T to 28T, the clarity of adhesive A does not affect the ability to be able to read the fixed information printed 21 to 28. However, in the case that both the fixed information 21 to 28 and the information variable 29 is usually not desirable to use an adhesive A that be highly visible because it provides a background unnecessary that may not be desired. In an alternative mode, the amount of adhesive A is less per unit area in the area of variable information 29T than in fixed information areas 21T a 28T, so that the variable information printed, when it is transferred to the substrate, it is more highly visible through the adhesive A. Ways to provide less adhesive A per unit of area in the 29T variable information zone consist of doing that the adhesive A in the variable information zone 29T be uniform but thinner than in the fixed information zone 29T, or Adhesive A may be marbled.

The relative overlap between the cladding Removable R, PC protective coating, the first color FC printing, the second color SC printing, the lining of CC color contrast and adhesive coating A are illustrated better in figure 10. Figure 10 shows that the coating removable R has a profile or area larger than the profile of the PC protective coating, which the PC protective coating has a profile or area larger than FC and SC printing and that the profile or areas of adhesive A are larger than those of PC protective coating. After adhesive application A, the partially printed band W is wound on a roll R1 as it is shows at station 8. It should be noted that the band partially printed W is flexible and dimensionally stable, of so that it can be rolled up and unwound as needed and the decals or images that it contains can be applied to contoured surfaces or elastic materials, such as genres or clothing. The W band can also be use to transfer images on gender tape.

With reference to figure 8, it schematically illustrates a long-distance installation 31 with stations 32 to 35 for printing and coating roll to roll. A support in the form of a support band C wound on a roll 36 successively passes to stations 32 to 35, after which the band of support C is rolled to form a roll 37. The band of support C is preferably a flexible, protective and transparent or transparent enough, so that the position of the printed information, and preferably your own impression, can be seen through the support band or film from the side of the band or support film. This is from utility when the decal or image has to match the product to which the decal or image is applied. Stations 32 to 35 in the illustrated mode are equipped to be printing and coating stations. In this mode illustrated, the printing and coating stations 32 to 35 are print stations with stencil, although in these stations it They can use other printing techniques described here. Exists a dryer (not shown) after each station 32 to 35, of way that the printing and / or coating that have been applied on each station dries before the C band reaches the next station and before the C band is rolled up to form the roll 37 or 39. Station 32 applies the removable liner R in each zone 21T to 29T for each image to be printed with information. Alternatively, the entire upper face of the support C can be coated with a uniform removable liner continuous R or the removable coating may have been applied to the support band C before the support band C is enter installation 31. As shown, the Removable coating R can be applied at station 32 with the design shown in figure 4 at separate intervals equally.  In particular, it is shown that the removable liner R is generally a rectangle that covers all zones 21T to 29T. The station 33 in figure 8 applies a protective coating PC on the removable liner R with the design shown in the Figure 4 and as shown in greater detail in Figure 5. The station 34 prints the fixed information shown in figure 6 in a first FC color on the fixed information zones 21T to 28T For each image. Station 35 prints the fixed information shown in figure 7 in a second color SC in the area of 29T fixed information for each image. Once the band of support C has been rolled to form roll 37, the band of support C is rewound to provide a roll 38 as shown in figure 9. For another pass of the support band C, stations 32 to 35, or some of them, are regulated to incorporate other coatings and / or desired prints. Custom that the support band C unwinds from roll 38, passes again to print stations 32 to 35 successively. In the station 32 (figure 9), an optionally can be applied CC color contrast coating. In case they have than apply two CC color contrast coatings, then station 33 can be used to apply a second CC color contrast coating. If only one CC color contrast coating, then station 33 is can be used to apply an adhesive coating A in areas 21T to 29T. If station 33 is used to apply a second color contrast coating, then station 34 is will use to apply the adhesive coating A. From there,  the partially printed thermal transfer band W is wound to form a roll 39. The coatings and printing that have been applied on the support band C are dry to the touch.

Figure 10 shows the various layers of coating and / or printing that have been applied to the band partially printed transfer W, but only shown Zones 21T, 24T, 25T, 26T, 27T and 29T. The first layer is the supporting film or band C. The second layer illustrated is the Removable lining R. All zones 21T to 29T including the illustrated areas, 24T, 25T, 26T, 27T and 29T, have layers constituted by the support band C, removable cover R and PC protective coating. In another layer, the illustrated areas 24T, 25T, 26T and 27T, as well as the other fixed information zones, they have fixed information printed in a first FC color, usually black, and zone 21T also has fixed information printed in a second color SC, for example, red. On FC and SC printing is at least one layer, as illustrated, and possibly two layers of CC color contrast printing on the illustrated areas 21T, 24T, 25T, 26T and 27T, as well as the other zones of fixed information. On the CC color contrast layers in the zones 21T to 28T, including illustrated areas, 24T, 25T, 26T and 27T, and on the protective coating in zone 29T, is  the adhesive coating A. The thicknesses of the layers have been exaggerated to offer greater clarity. Really all Coatings are thin. It should be noted that the design of PC protective coating applied on the coating Removable R is wider than FC and SC printing. This ensures that if the print does not match slightly, it will still be aligned with the PC protective coating. Then the profile or design of the CC color contrast coating shall be slightly larger than FC and SC print or it will be superimposed on the latter, but preferably it will be smaller than the profile or design of the protective PC coating. The profile or Adhesive A design is at least slightly larger than the profile or design of the PC protective coating.

The thermal transfer band partially printed W is time ready to be printed or over-printed with variable information. With reference to figure 11, the user can use any suitable printer, such as a known printer 42 for printing  Variable information Printer 42, Model 5300ZTModified produced by Paxar Americas, Inc., may be provided with a HSB band and also a second HSW band of stamping medium hot, each of which comprises, as shown, a support in the form of a flexible support band C1, a uniform removable coating R1 and a uniform ink I1 in a color such as black or, if a color of background, a contrasting color such as white. In cases where only one print is required without a color contrast background, Only one HSB hot stamping medium is used in one single color ink, such as black. In those cases, such as the illustrated one also provides a means of stamping in Warm HSW with a light colored ink, such as white. The band partially printed W comes from a roll 43, which has been rewound from roll 39, it is passed on a plate 44 of the machine 42, as illustrated. A stamping tape on hot HSB carrying a dark colored ink, for example black, it is positioned so that it advances transversely with respect to the direction of travel of the band W and, similarly, a hot stamping tape that carries a light colored ink, for example white, it is located transversely to the direction of W band offset. Printheads by hot stamping 46 and 47 are located in opposite position to plate 44. Print heads 46 and 47 carry plates of 48 and 49 replaceable hot stamping or chassis with type impression (not shown) that usually carry signs 50 prominent to print or more particularly to impress or hot stamp variable information on the W band. illustrated mode, indications 50 on plates 48 and 49 are similar except that the signs on plate 49 have a profile or footprint wider than the evidence on plate 48, of so that the printing made by the plate 49 is superimposed on the printing made by the plate 48 to thus provide a color contrast background. The W band stops while the 48 and 49 mobile printheads stamp the information variable on the partially printed band W. Then the printheads 46 and 47 are separated from plate 44 so that the HSB and HSW hot stamping media can advance in the direction of arrows 51. Printheads 46 and 47 are separated so that the variable information zones 29T Image I and identical image I 'are printed simultaneously. Printheads 46 and 47 are registered with the Adjacent images I and I 'and preferably move in unison. The separation of the printing plates 46 and 47 is also the same as the separation of registration marks 30. Information Image variable I is printed with, for example, black ink, while the same variable information of the image I 'is Print with, for example, white ink. It should be noted that the W band gradually advances in the direction of arrow 52 after of printing. Image I '' has no variable information in the zone 29T. Zones 29T of images I and I 'are printed from simultaneously by print heads 46 and 47 (figure 13). As best seen in Figure 14, the variable information printed or indications 50 'that has been printed by means of HSB hot stamping in zone 29T, is applied on the adhesive A and has a smaller profile than adhesive A; and the 50 '' color contrast printed by means of stamping in hot HSW in zone 29T may have a larger profile than the 50 'print but a smaller profile than adhesive A or than the PC protective coating.

The fully printed band W produced by the Printer 42 is rolled to form a roll 53. Information Printed is dry to the touch. The W band can be used directly from roll 53 to transfer the images one by one on separate clothing, for example, the garment of dress 54 shown in figure 15, or the band W can be rewind from roll 53, depending on the construction of The transfer machine. A transfer machine 55, shown schematically in a slightly exploded form in the Figure 15, has a plate 56 with a plate surface 57 on which garment 54 is placed and with which the garment of dress 54 and the band W are registered. The band totally printed W with the side of the band or support film facing Above, you pass between garment 54 and a hot anvil 58 which has a surface 59. The hot anvil 58 can be move to zoom in and out of the surface 57 of the plate, of way that the printed image, which has been registered with the garment of dress 54, is transferred by heat and pressure from the band support C to the garment 54. The heat of the plate 58 softens or melts the removable liner R, so that the rest of the items are transferred on garment 54 coating and prints such as PC, FC, SC, A and printing 50 'and 50' 'made from HSB and HSW tapes. Acting thus, adhesive A is activated and becomes sticky to retain or bond transferred coatings and printed information on the garment 54. Once applied, adhesive A is no longer sticky. Figure 16 shows an alternative form of means of thermal transfer, in particular a stamping means in hot 60, which has a flexible support band C ', a uniform removable coating R1, an adhesive coating uniform A and a uniform ink coating I1 that can be use to print variable information about the W 'band in the variable information zone 29T on the protective coating PC The ink I1 and the adhesive A corresponding to the indications 50 they will be hot stamped on the protective coating provisionally applied PC. The resulting laminate in the variable information zone 29T provides the support band C, the removable coating R, the protective coating PC, the 50 'print and adhesive A, as illustrated in Figure 18. The 50 '' color contrast print, also shown in the figure 18, can be applied using a thermal transfer tape hot stamping, similar to HSW tape.

In the mode of figure 17 there is no adhesive coating A on the W 'band in the area of variable information 29T. As shown in Figure 17, the area 29T has a layer of a support band C, a layer of a removable liner R and a layer of a liner PC protector When the variable information is printed on the thermal transfer means W 'in the mode of figure 17 by means of a printer, such as printer 42, the means of hot stamping 60 shown in figure 16. So Simultaneously, adhesive A and ink I1 of the printing medium in hot 60 are transferred over the PC protective coating in zone 29T by hot printing plate 48. In particular, the 50 'print and adhesive A, as illustrated in Figure 18, applied simultaneously to the PC protective coating, will correspond to signs 50 on the printing plate or type plate printing 48. Adhesive A and printing 50 ' They have the same profile. Any 50 '' print has a profile larger than adhesive A and 50 'print, but one more profile small than the PC protective coating, as shown in the Figure 18. In other aspects, the fully printed band W 'is similar to the band W.

Figure 19 shows another alternative form of thermal transfer means, in particular a means of 60 'hot stamping that can be used for printing variable information in the variable information zone 29T directly on an alternative form of a band provided with removable and partially printed coating W '', as shown in figure 20. In the mode of figure 20 there is no adhesive coating A or PC protective coating in the area of variable information 29T on the W band ''. When the Variable information is printed by printing plate 48 using the transfer medium 60 ', then the coating PC protector, 50 'variable information printing and the Adhesive A is transferred simultaneously directly on the removable liner R in the configuration of the signs 50 as illustrated in Figure 21. Adhesive A, print 50 'and The PC protective coating have the same profile. Any 50 '' print has a larger profile than adhesive A, 50 'printing and PC protective coating, as illustrated in the Figure 21. In other aspects, the band W '' is similar to the band W.

It should be noted that the band partially printed W, W 'or W' 'can be printed with different information simply by inserting into the printer 42 one or both plates of Print 48 and 49 with the desired signs. Plate 48 shown in Figure 12 can be replaced by a similar plate bearing the signs X / XL, 46-48 backwards. It also has to Note that when bands W 'and W' 'have images transferred on the substrate, such as garment 54, the Adhesive A is below the 50 'print, so that adhesive A does not need to be sufficiently transparent so that the 50 'print can be read, but in the in case there is any 50 '' color contrast print, said 50 '' color contrast print still needs to be observed, so that adhesive A needs to be transparent enough

It should be noted that the printing of information  fixed and variable can be done by various techniques of printing, although printing techniques are preferred with stencil to print the fixed information and printing by Hot stamping to print the variable information. Other suitable techniques include transfer printing thermal that has a printhead with a line of closely separated heating elements used with a thermal transfer ribbon, inkjet printing, flexographic printing, laser printing or the like.

Ink 11 may have the same features after printing that the ink of the information printed in zones 21T to 29T applied by the installation 31 and similarly the adhesive A applied from the 60, 60 '' HSB and HSW tapes can have the same characteristics as adhesive A applied by installation 31.

When a stamping process is used in hot, the ink is etched or introduced into adhesive A to provide hot stamped reliefs in accordance with the prominent hints 50 on the printing plate 48, so even if the essentially transparent adhesive A will present a very slight decrease in visibility or ability to read the printing, the hot stamping process makes the printing is even more vibrant and visible than in the case that other specific techniques are used to print on the adhesive A.

In case you want to produce a band of  W, W 'or W' 'transfer media with information such as country of origin 23 or content of material 28 in addition to the information variable with respect to size 29, then zones 23T and / or 28T and 29T can be printed on the printer 42 once the partially printed transfer medium W, W 'or W' ', and that case tailored printing plates are used for printing All that variable information.

Although the coatings R, PC, A are referred as such, said coatings can be and are applied by printing with stencil and, therefore, they can be considered as printed.

Claims (10)

1. Method of manufacturing a band for thermal transfer (W), which comprises providing a band of support (C), where one of the sides of the support band has a removable liner (R) in one or more information zones fixed (21T-28T) capable of receiving fixed information and also in one or more areas of variable information (29T) capable of receive variable information, print fixed information (FC, SC) on the removable lining in the zone or zones of fixed information, apply adhesive (A) on the zone or zones of fixed information that includes the fixed and printed information in the zone or zones of variable information, and print information variable (50 ', 50' ') on the adhesive in the zone or zones of variable information 2. Method according to claim 1, which includes transferring the adhesive (A), the fixed printed information (FC, SC) and the printed variable information (50 ', 50' ') at a surface (54). 3. Method according to any of the claims 1 or 2, wherein the amount of adhesive in the area or variable information zones (29T) is smaller per unit area that in the fixed information zone or zones (21R-28T). 4. Method according to any of the claims 1 to 3, comprising applying a coating protector (PC) on the removable liner (R) in at least one of the fixed information zones or in the zone or zones of variable information, where the protective coating (PC) is lies between the removable liner (R) and the Print. 5. Method according to any of the claims 1 to 4, which comprises applying a coating of color contrast (CC) on part or all of the fixed printed information (FC, SC). 6. Method according to claim 4, which comprises providing a color contrast coating (CC) about part or all of the fixed information printed and in the protective coating (PC) in the fixed information zone or zones (21T-28T). 7. Method according to any of the claims 4 or 6, wherein the adhesive, the information Printed variable and protective coating are transferred from simultaneously on the removable lining in the area or variable information zones. 8. An article (54) manufactured by the method of claim 2 9. A band for thermal transfer (W) with one or more fixed information zones (21T-28T) able to receive fixed printed information (FC, SC) and one or more variable information zones (29T) capable of receiving information printed variable (50 '), comprising: a support band (C), having one of the sides of the support band a lining removable (R) in the fixed information zone (s) and in the zone or variable information zones, fixed printed information (FC, SC) in the zone or zones of fixed information, variable information printed (50 ') in the zone or zones of variable information, the removable liner (R) between the support band (C) and the printed information (FC, SC, 50 ') in the information zone or zones fixed and variable information zone or zones, adhesive (A, A ') in the fixed information zone (s) and variable information zone or zones, the fixed printed information (FC, SC) being between the adhesive and the removable coating (R), and the adhesive being between the printed variable information and removable liner (R). 10. A band for thermal transfer according to claim 9, comprising a protective coating (PC) in at least the fixed information zone or zones (21T-28T) between the removable liner (R) and the impression.